Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a display panel; a deformation sensor configured to sense a bending of the display panel; and a controller configured to control the display panel, wherein the controller is configured to: control displaying a plurality of objects on the display panel; detect the bending of the display panel through the deformation sensor; divide the display panel into a first area and a second area with respect to a bending line defined by the bending; divide the objects into a first object corresponding to the first area and a second object corresponding to the second area according to the bending; and move the first and second objects in first and second directions, respectively, according to the bending.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0030996, filed on Mar. 5, 2015, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a displayapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic equipment, such as a smart phone, a digital camera, anotebook computer, a navigation device, a smart television, etc.,includes a display panel to display an image.

In general, a flat display panel having thin thickness and light weighthas been widely used as the display panel. For instance, various displaypanels, such as liquid crystal display panels, organic light emittingdisplay panels, electro wetting display panels, plasma display panels,electrophoretic display panels, and the like, have been used as displaypanels for electronic devices.

In recent years, flexible display panels that are bendable have beendeveloped. Flexible display panels are applicable to not only IT-relatedproducts but also products such as cloth and paper. When using flexibledisplay panels, a foldable display apparatus configured to be foldedwhile being carried or stored and unfolded while displaying an image hasbeen developed.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a displayapparatus. For example, aspects of some embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a display apparatus that is bendable and foldable.

Aspects of some embodiments of the present invention include a displayapparatus having improved convenience and usability.

According to aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes: a display panel; a deformation sensor configured tosense a bending of the display panel; and a controller configured tocontrol the display panel, wherein the controller is configured to:control displaying a plurality of objects on the display panel; detectthe bending of the display panel through the deformation sensor; dividethe display panel into a first area and a second area with respect to abending line defined by the bending; divide the objects into a firstobject corresponding to the first area and a second object correspondingto the second area according to the bending; and move the first andsecond objects in first and second directions, respectively, accordingto the bending.

The first direction may be a direction opposite to the bending line withrespect to the first object and the second direction may be a directionopposite to the bending line with respect to the second object.

The first direction may be toward the bending line with respect to thefirst object and the second direction may be toward the bending linewith respect to the second object.

A moving speed of the first and second objects may be determined basedon a bending angle of the bending.

A moving distance of the first and second objects may be determinedbased on a bending angle of the bending.

The display apparatus may further include a grip sensor configured tosense a grip by a user's hand, the controller may be configured todefine grip areas corresponding to areas gripped by the user's handusing the grip sensor, the first object may move to a grip area definedin the first area among the grip areas, and the second object may moveto a grip area defined in the second area among the grip areas.

The controller may be configured to detect an unbending of the displaypanel using the deformation sensor and to return the first and secondobjects to original positions of the first and second objects before thedisplay panel is bent.

A moving speed when the first and second objects are respectivelyreturned to the original positions may be slower than a moving speedwhen the first and second objects respectively move to the first andsecond directions.

According to aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes: a display panel; a deformation sensor configured tosense a bending of the display panel; and a controller configured to:control the display panel and detect the bending using the deformationsensor; control displaying a first icon corresponding to a firstapplication in a first icon arrangement area; detect a first touch inputselecting the first icon; detect a first bending of the display panel;determine that an execution command executing the first application isinput according to the first bending to generate a first control signal;and execute the first application in response to the first controlsignal.

The controller may be configured to define an execution area distinctfrom the first icon arrangement area in the display panel on the basisof the first bending and to display an execution screen of the firstapplication in the execution area.

The controller may be configured to: detect a second bending of thedisplay panel; determine that an execution command controlling a size ofthe execution screen of the first application based on the secondbending to generate a second control signal; and control the size of theexecution screen of the first application in response to the secondcontrol signal.

The controller may be configured to detect a bending activation inputgenerated by a user and to control the size of the execution screen ofthe first application while the bending activation input is input.

The bending activation input may correspond to an operation thatmaintains a touch on the first icon.

When a first bending angle between the first icon arrangement area andthe execution area becomes smaller, the size of the execution screen ofthe first application may decrease, and when the first bending anglebecomes greater, the size of the execution screen of the firstapplication may increase.

The controller may be configured to determine that the execution commandof the first application is input when the first bending angle betweenthe first icon arrangement area and the execution area becomes smaller.

The controller may be configured to detect a first movement of the firsticon arrangement area and a second movement of the execution area and todetermine that the execution command of the first application is inputaccording to the first movement, the second movement, and the firstbending.

When the first icon arrangement area is fixed, the first movement maynot be detected, and the second movement may be a movement of a secondicon arrangement area to allow a first bending angle between the firstand second icon arrangement areas to be small, the controller may beconfigured to determine that the execution command of the firstapplication is input.

The controller may be configured to: display a second icon correspondingto a second application in a second icon arrangement area of the displaypanel; move the second icon to the first icon arrangement area; anddisplay the second icon through the first icon arrangement area when theexecution area is overlapped with the second icon arrangement area afterthe first bending.

The controller may be configured to: detect a third bending of thedisplay panel; determine a command moving and displaying the executionscreen of the first application to and in the first icon arrangementarea according to the third bending; generate a third control signal;and move and displays the execution screen of the first application toand in the first icon arrangement area in response to the third controlsignal.

The controller may be configured to detect a first movement of the firsticon arrangement area and a second movement of the execution area and todetermine that the command moving and displaying the execution screen ofthe first application to and in the first icon arrangement area is inputaccording to the first movement, the second movement, and the thirdbending.

When the first icon arrangement area is fixed, the first movement is notdetected, and the second movement is a movement of the execution area toallow the first bending angle between the first icon arrangement areaand the execution area to be small, the controller may be configured todetermine that the command moving and displaying the execution screen ofthe first application to and in the first icon arrangement area isinput.

According to aspects of embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes: a display panel; a deformation sensor configured tosense a bending of the display panel; and a controller configured to:control the display panel and detect the bending using the deformationsensor; divide the display panel into a visible area perceived by a userand a non-visible area not perceived by the user due to the bending,which are defined in the display panel, according to the bending of thedisplay panel; and drive the non-visible area in a power saving mode.

The controller may be configured to control a size of an object so as tocorrespond to the visible region displayed in the display panel beforethe bending of the display panel, after the bending of the display paneland to move and display the object in the visible area.

The controller may be configured to display an image having a blackgrayscale at the non-visible area in the power saving mode.

The controller may be configured to determine that the display panel isin a folded state according to the bending and to turn off the displaypanel when a bending angle of the bending of the display panel issmaller than a predetermined turn-off angle while the display panel isbeing folded.

The controller may be configured to determine that the display panel isin an unfolded state and to turn on the display panel when the bendingangle is greater than a predetermined turn-on angle while the displaypanel is in unfolded state, and the turn-on angle is smaller than theturn-off angle.

The display apparatus may further include a gaze sensor configured tosense a gaze of the user, and the controller may be configured to detecta user's gaze using the gaze sensor and to divide the visible area andthe non-visible area based on the bending and the user's gaze.

The display panel may be folded two times at first and second bendingangles when the display panel is bent, and the controller may beconfigured to divide the visible area and the non-visible area accordingto the first and second bending angles.

The display panel may be bent along a first bending line correspondingto the first bending line and a second bending line corresponding to thesecond bending line when the display panel is in the first bending, thecontroller may be configured to define first, second, and third areaswith respect to the first and second bending lines, at least one area ofthe first, second, and third areas may be in the non-visible area,remaining areas of the first, second, and third areas may be in thevisible area, the first bending line may be defined between the firstand second areas, and the second bending line may be defined between thesecond and third areas.

When the first bending angle is smaller than the second bending angle,the first and second areas may be included in the non-visible area bythe controller and the third area may be included in the visible area bythe controller.

When the second bending angle is smaller than the first bending angle,the first and second areas may be included in the non-visible area bythe controller and the third area may be included in the visible area bythe controller.

According to the above, the display apparatus according to someembodiments of the present invention may detect the bending and displaythe image in accordance with the bending. Therefore, the user appliesvarious inputs to the display apparatus by bending the displayapparatus, and thus the user controls the display apparatus. Thus, theconvenience and usability of the display apparatus may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will becomereadily apparent by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an operation providing a user interfacecorresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus according toanother example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views showing an operation providing a user interfacecorresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus according toanother example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing an operation providing a user interfacecorresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus according toanother example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A to 11C are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

The electronic or electric devices and/or any other relevant devices orcomponents according to embodiments of the present invention describedherein may be implemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware(e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit), software, or acombination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, thevarious components of these devices may be formed on one integratedcircuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Further, the variouscomponents of these devices may be implemented on a flexible printedcircuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board(PCB), or formed on one substrate. Further, the various components ofthese devices may be may be a process or thread, running on one or moreprocessors, in one or more computing devices, executing computer programinstructions and interacting with other system components for performingthe various functionalities described herein. The computer programinstructions are stored in a memory which may be implemented in acomputing device using a standard memory device, such as, for example, arandom access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may alsobe stored in other non-transitory computer readable media such as, forexample, a CD-ROM, flash drive, or the like. Also, a person of skill inthe art should recognize that the functionality of various computingdevices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, orthe functionality of a particular computing device may be distributedacross one or more other computing devices without departing from thespirit and scope of the example embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus 1000 according toan example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display apparatus 1000 includes a display panel110, a sensing part 120, a controller 130, and a memory 140.

The display apparatus 1000 may be, but is not limited to, a flexibledisplay apparatus. Accordingly, the display apparatus 1000 may bedeformed by an external force applied thereto. For example, the displayapparatus 1000 may be bent, folded, rolled, or stretched by an externalforce.

Hereinafter, the term of “bending of the display apparatus” used hereinmeans a state that the display apparatus 1000 is bent at an angle (e.g.,a predetermined angle or more) such that two areas of the displayapparatus 1000 face each other.

Elements of the display apparatus 1000 include materials withflexibility and have structure appropriate to the flexibility. Forexample, the display panel 110 may include a plastic material withflexibility, and thus the display panel 110 may be deformed by theexternal force.

The display panel 110 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in amatrix arrangement. Each pixel displays a unit image. The flexibledisplay panel has a resolution determined depending on the number of thepixels arranged on the display panel 110. The display panel 110 displaysvisual information, such as a text, a video, a photograph, atwo-dimensional image, a three-dimensional image, etc., as the image.

The display panel 110 may include an organic light emitting displaypanel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, anelectrophoretic display panel, or an electrowetting display panel.

The display panel 110 may be, but is not limited to, a display panelthat senses a touch event. In this case, the display panel 110 includesa touch screen panel. The touch screen panel includes a touch sensingsurface, a sensor, or a set of sensors to receive an input from a useron the basis of a haptic and/or physical touch. The touch screen panelsenses a touch occurring on the display panel 110, a movement of thetouch, or a cut of the touch and generates touch information.

The sensing part 120 includes a deformation sensor 121, a grip sensor122, and a gaze sensor 123.

The deformation sensor 121 senses deformation of the display panel 110.The deformation sensor 121 may include various sensors (e.g., a pressuresensor, a strain gauge sensor, etc.) to sense pressure and strainoccurring on the display apparatus 1000, which are caused by thedeformation of the display apparatus 1000. In addition, the deformationsensor 121 may include a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, ageomagnetic sensor, etc., to sense movements, such as displacement,rotation, etc., of the display panel 110. Further, the deformationsensor 121 may include a proximity sensor. The sensors are provided tothe display apparatus 1000 or the display panel 110 and sense avariation in physical quantity generated at positions corresponding tothe sensors.

The deformation sensor 121 senses the deformation of the displayapparatus 1000 using the sensors and generates deformation information.The deformation information may include various information, such as adeformation position, a deformation region, a deformation direction, adeformation angle, a deformation intensity, a deformation speed, anumber of times of deformation, a time point of the deformation, amaintain time of the deformation, etc., of the display apparatus 1000

For instance, when the display panel 110 is bent by a user, thedeformation sensor 121 senses the bending of the display panel 110 andgenerates bending information. The bending information may includevarious information, such as a bending position, a bending region, abending direction, a bending angle, a bending intensity, a bendingspeed, a number of times of bending, a time point of the bending, amaintain time of the bending, etc., of the display apparatus 1000.

The deformation sensor 121 senses a bending line formed by the bendingand a state of change of the bending line on the basis of the bendinginformation. In detail, the deformation sensor 121 recognizes thebending line on the basis of a distribution of strain output from thestrain gauge sensor, a distribution of pressure sensed by the pressuresensor, and variations of the distributions of the strain and pressure.Here, the term “bending line” used herein means an imaginary lineobtained by connecting positions each at which a degree of the bendingis largest in the area in which the bending occurs.

The grip sensor 122 senses the user's grip and generates gripinformation. For instance, when the user grips the display apparatus1000 by his hands to use the display apparatus 1000, the grip sensor 122generates the grip information including a grip position, a grip region,a grip pressure, a time point of the grip, and/or a maintain time of thegrip, etc.

The grip sensor 122 is realized by a sensor used to sense the user'sgrip, but it should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the gripsensor 122 may be realized by the touch screen panel. In more detail,the grip sensor 122 may generate the grip information on the basis of(a) haptic or/and physical touch(s) sensed by the touch screen panel.

The gaze sensor 123 senses a gaze of the user and generates gazeinformation. When the user watches the display apparatus 1000 to use thedisplay apparatus 1000, the gaze sensor 123 generates the gazeinformation including, for example, a position of user's eye, a positionof gaze, a gaze direction, etc.

For instance, a face modeling technology may be utilized with the gazesensor 123. The face modeling technology is an analyzing process ofconverting face images obtained by a camera into digital information forprocessing and transmitting. Either an active shape modeling (ASM)method or an active appearance modeling (AAM) may be used as the facemodeling technology. In addition, the gaze sensor 123 may use theidentified eyeball image to determine the movement of the eyeballs. Inaddition, the gaze sensor 123 may use the movement of the eyeballs tosense the direction in which the user gazes, and compare pre-storedinformation about the display panel 110 with the direction in which theuser gazes, thereby determining the area at which the user gazes.

The controller 130 controls the display panel 110. The controller 130receives image information from an external source, processes the imageinformation, and controls the display panel 110 to allow imagescorresponding to the image information to be displayed through thedisplay panel 110.

In addition, the controller 130 displays a user interface through thedisplay panel 110 and controls an operation of the user interface inresponse to commands corresponding to the user's inputs.

As an example, the controller 130 detects the deformation of the displaypanel 110 and the display apparatus 1000, the grip of the user, and thegaze of the user on the basis of the deformation information, the gripinformation, and the gaze information, which are generated by thesensing part 120, and operates and controls the displayed image and theuser interface on the basis of the deformation of the display panel 110and the display apparatus 1000, the grip of the user, and the gaze ofthe user.

In addition, the controller 130 detects the touch input by the user onthe basis of the touch information generated by the display panel 110.The controller 130 converts the detected touch to correspond to objectsof the user interface displayed on the display panel 110.

The memory 140 includes a high-speed random access memory, such as adynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory(SRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRRAM), etc., and includes at least one of a magnetic disc storage unit,an optical disc storage unit, and a flash memory unit, or a non-volatilememory such as a non-volatile semiconductor storage unit. The memory 140stores sets of commands and/or data structures, software programrequired to drive the display apparatus 1000, and applications operatedin the display apparatus 1000.

Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, operations of thedisplay panel 110, the sensing part 120, the controller 130, and thememory 140 are assumed to be the same as those of the display apparatus1000. Accordingly, the operation of the display apparatus 1000 describedhereinafter may be performed by any one of elements of the displayapparatus 1000 or interactions of the elements of the display apparatus1000.

In addition, when the display apparatus 1000 is deformed, thedeformation of the display panel 110 is substantially the same as thedeformation of the display apparatus 1000, and thus the deformation ofthe display apparatus 1000 will be used as the same meaning as thedeformation of the display panel 110.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an operation providing the userinterface corresponding to the deformation of the display apparatus 1000according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows the display apparatus 1000 in an unbending state. Thedisplay apparatus 1000 displays the objects while being in the unbendingstate. As an example, the objects may be images forming the userinterface and an execution screen of applications.

The user interacts with the display apparatus 1000 through the userinterface or controls the software program operated in the displayapparatus 1000. The objects of the user interface include a plurality oficons or soft keys and indicators representing information about thedisplay apparatus 1000.

In the present example embodiment, the icons include a weather icon 201,a camera icon 202, a music icon 203, a mail icon 204, a watch icon 205,and a photograph icon 206. The indicators are displayed on an upperportion of the display apparatus 1000 and include a time indicator, asignal intensity indicator, a battery state indicator, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the display apparatus 1000 is bent along a firstbending line BL11 by the user. In this case, the display apparatus 1000includes a first area A11 and a second area A21, which are respectivelydefined at both sides of the first bending line BL11.

When the display apparatus 1000 is bent, the display apparatus 1000senses the bending and generates the bending information about thebending, and the display apparatus 1000 detects the bending on the basisof the bending information. The display apparatus 1000 detects the firstbending line BL11 on the basis of the detected bending, and thus thefirst and second areas A11 and A21 are distinct from each other.

The display apparatus 1000 divides the icons into groups on the basis ofthe bending. For instance, the display apparatus 1000 divides the iconsinto a first object O11 including the weather icon 201, the camera icon202, and the music icon 203, which are arranged in a left side of thefirst bending line BL11 and a second object O21 including the mail icon204, the watch icon 205, and the photograph icon 206, which are arrangedin a right side of the first bending line BL11.

Then, the display apparatus 1000 moves the first and second objects O11and O21. For example, the display apparatus 1000 may move the firstobject O11 toward a first direction D1 and move the second object O21toward a second direction D2.

The first and second directions D1 and D2 may be defined by the displayapparatus 1000. The first direction D1 is a direction opposite to thefirst bending line BL11 with respect to the first object O11 and thesecond direction D2 is a direction opposite to the first bending lineBL11 with respect to the second object O21. When the first and secondobjects O11 and O21 move toward the first and second directions D1 andD2, respectively, the first and second objects O11 and O21 are fartheraway from each other.

However, they should not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, thefirst and second objects O11 and O21 may move to opposite directionsrespectively opposite to the first and second directions D1 and D2. Inthis case, the first and second objects O11 and O21 are close to eachother.

The display apparatus 1000 may determine a moving speed of each of thefirst and second objects O11 and O21 on the basis of a bending angleθ_(w). For instance, when the bending angle θ_(b11) is smaller than anangle (e.g., a predetermined angle), the moving speed of each of thefirst and second objects O11 and O21 may be greater than the movingspeed of each of the first and second objects O11 and O21 when thebending angle θ_(b11) is greater than the angle (e.g., the predeterminedangle).

In addition, the display apparatus may determine a moving distance ofeach of the first and second objects O11 and O21 on the basis of abending angle θ_(b11). For instance, when the bending angle θ_(b11) issmaller than the angle (e.g., the predetermined angle), the movingdistance of each of the first and second objects O11 and O21 may begreater than the moving distance of each of the first and second objectsO11 and O21 when the bending angle θ_(b11) is greater than the angle(e.g., the predetermined angle).

When the display apparatus 1000 is unbent again after being bent, thedisplay apparatus 1000 may detect the unbending thereof and control thefirst and second objects O11 and O21 to return to their originalpositions in accordance with the unbending.

In the present example embodiment, the moving speed when the first andsecond objects O11 and O21 return to their original positions may beslower than the moving speed when the first and second objects O11 andO21 move toward the first and second directions D1 and D2 in accordancewith the bending. Therefore, the user controls the positions of thefirst and second objects O11 and O21 using the bending and unbending ofthe display apparatus 1000, and thus the convenience and usability ofthe display apparatus 1000 may be improved.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an operation providing a user interfacecorresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000 according toanother example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the user grips the display apparatus 1000, thedisplay apparatus 1000 senses the grip of the user, generates the gripinformation, and detects the grip on the basis of the grip information.For instance, a first grip area HA1 and a second grip area HA2 aredefined on the display apparatus 1000 on the basis of the detected gripinformation.

The first grip area HA1 corresponds to an area gripped by a left hand ofthe user and the second grip area HA2 corresponds to an area gripped bya right hand of the user. The first and second grip areas HA1 and HA2are respectively located in the first and second areas A11 and A21.

In the present example embodiment, when the display apparatus 1000 isbent with respect to the first bending line BL11, the display apparatus1000 moves the first object O11 to the first grip area HA1 and thesecond object O21 to the second grip area HA2.

As described above, because the user may move the objects, which aredifficult to be selected by the touch operation, to the areas, which areeasy to be touched and correspond to the areas gripped by the user, andeasily select the objects, the convenience and usability of the displayapparatus 1000 may be improved.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the display apparatus 1000 displays the weather,camera, music, mail, watch, and photograph icons 201 to 206 in a firstarea A12. As an example, the first area A12 is defined between a secondarea A22 defined in a left side of the display apparatus 1000 and athird area A32 defined in a right side of the display apparatus 1000.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the display apparatus 1000 is bent, thedisplay apparatus 1000 detects the bending thereof and scrolls the imagedisplayed thereof and/or the objects.

In more detail, the weather, camera, and music icons 201 to 203displayed through the first area A12 in the unbending state are scrolledto (or repositioned along) a first direction D1 of the second area A22to be disappeared when the display apparatus 1000 is bent and notdisplayed. In addition, the mail, watch, and photograph icons 204 to 206displayed through the first area A12 in the unbending state move to thefirst direction D1 when the display apparatus 1000 is bent, and then aredisplayed in the second area A22. A calendar icon 207, a search icon208, and a memo icon 209, which are not displayed in the unbendingstate, move to a direction opposite to the second direction D2, and thenare displayed in the third area A32.

The scroll operation according to the present example embodiment shouldnot be limited to the icons. That is, when a photograph application isused, photographs may be scrolled to search the photographs.

The display apparatus 1000 may determine a scroll speed of the icons 201to 209 on the basis of a bending angle θ_(b12). For instance, when thebending angle θ_(b12) is smaller than an angle (e.g., a predeterminedangle), the scroll speed of each of the icons 201 to 209 is greater thanthe scroll speed of the icons 201 to 209 when the bending angle θ_(b12)is greater than the angle (e.g., the predetermined angle).

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views showing an operation providing a user interfacecorresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000 according toanother example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the display apparatus 1000 displays theweather, camera, and music icons 201 to 203 in a first icon arrangementarea IA1 and displays the mail, watch, and photograph icons 204 to 206in a second icon arrangement area IA2.

Then, the display apparatus 1000 receives a first touch input generatedwhen the user selects the main icon 204 and detects that the userselects the mail icon 204. When the user performs a first bendingoperation on the display apparatus 1000 while the user inputs the firsttouch input, the display apparatus 1000 detects the first bending andchecks (or determines) whether an execution command of a mainapplication corresponding to the main icon 204 is input or not on thebasis of the first bending.

When it is checked (or determined) that the execution command of themail application is input, the display apparatus 1000 generates a firstcontrol signal to execute the main application, and the mail applicationis executed by the first control signal.

As an example, the display apparatus 1000 checks (or determines) whetherthe execution command of the mail application is input on the basis ofvarious information, such as a bending position, a bending region, abending direction, a bending angle, a bending intensity, a bendingspeed, a number of times of bending, a time point of the bending, amaintain time of the bending, etc., of the first bending.

For instance, in the case that the bending maintain time of the firstbending is within about 1 second and the display apparatus 1000 isunbent (hereinafter, referred to as a flicking), or a first bendingangle θ_(b13) of the first bending is equal to or greater than apredetermined angle, the display apparatus 1000 determines that theexecution command of the mail application is input and generates thefirst control signal.

In addition to the first bending angle θ_(b13), the display apparatus1000 detects first and second movements of the first and second iconarrangement areas IA1 and IA2 and checks whether the execution commandof the mail application is input on the basis of the first and secondmovements, thereby generating the first control signal.

For instance, in the case that the first icon arrangement area IA1 isfixed, the first movement is not detected, and the second movement isthe movement of the second icon arrangement area IA2 to allow the firstbending angle θ_(b13) to be small, the display apparatus 1000 determinesthat the execution command of the mail application is input andgenerates the first control signal. In the present example embodiment,the second movement corresponds to a movement that rotates the secondicon arrangement area IA2 at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle) in acounter-clockwise direction with respect to a first bending line BL12.

In addition, in the case that the second icon arrangement area IA2 isfixed, the second movement is not detected, and the first movement isthe movement of the first icon arrangement area IA1 to allow the firstbending angle θ_(b13) to be small, the display apparatus 1000 determinesthat the execution command of the mail application is input andgenerates the first control signal. In the present example embodiment,the first movement corresponds to a movement that rotates the first iconarrangement area IA1 at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle) in aclockwise direction with respect to the first bending line BL12.

When the display apparatus 1000 is bent, the display apparatus 1000detects the first bending line BL12 on the basis of the bendinginformation and partitions an execution area EA distinct from the secondicon arrangement area IA2. As an example, the execution area EA isplaced at a left side with respect to the first bending line BL12 andthe second icon arrangement area IA2 is placed at a right side withrespect to the first bending line BL12.

As an example, the display apparatus 1000 may display an executionscreen ES of the mail application in the execution area EA. As describedabove, because the user may decide the area, in which the execution ofthe desired application and the display area of the execution screen ofthe desired application are displayed, by the bending operation, theusability of the display apparatus 1000 may be improved.

In addition, when the execution area EA is overlapped with the firsticon arrangement area IA1 (refer to FIG. 5A), the display apparatus 1000may display the weather, camera, and music icons 201 to 203 displayed inthe first icon arrangement area IA1 in the second icon arrangement areaIA2 not overlapped with the execution area EA.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the display apparatus 1000 detects a selectioninput from the user and activates an execution screen ES of the mailapplication in response to the selection input. For instance, theselection input may be, but is not limited to, a second touch inputgenerated by the user who selects the mail icon 204.

In addition, the display apparatus 1000 receives a bending activationinput from the user and controls a size of the execution screen ES ofthe mail application in response to the bending activation input. Forinstance, the bending activation input corresponds to an operation thatmaintains the touch on the mail icon 204.

When the user performs a second bending operation on the displayapparatus 1000 while maintaining the touch on the mail icon 204 andinputting the bending activation input, the display apparatus 1000detects the second bending and checks whether an execution command usedto control the size of the execution screen ES of the mail applicationon the second bending. In case of the second bending, the displayapparatus 1000 is bent with respect to a second bending line BL21.

When it is checked (or determined) whether or not the execution commandfor the control of the size of the execution screen ES of the mailapplication is input, the display apparatus 1000 generates a secondcontrol signal to control the size of the execution screen ES of themail application and controls the size of the execution screen ES of themail application in response to the second control signal. The displayapparatus 1000 may check whether the bending is to control the executionscreen ES of the mail application or not on the basis of the bendingactivation input. Accordingly, the user may selectively provide thedisplay apparatus 1000 with the bending for the control of the executionscreen ES of the mail application and the bending not related to controlthe execution screen ES of the mail application.

As an example, when a second bending angle θ_(b21) between the secondicon arrangement area IA2 and the execution area EA increases, thedisplay apparatus 1000 increases the size of the execution screen ES ofthe mail application.

In detail, the second bending angle θ_(b21) is greater than a bendingangle at a time point at which the bending activation input is input,the display apparatus 1000 increases the size of the execution screen ESof the mail application.

The display apparatus 1000 may expand the execution screen ES of themail application to allow the execution screen ES of the mailapplication is overlapped with the second icon arrangement area IA2. Inthis case, the display apparatus 1000 rearranges the icons arranged inthe second icon arrangement area IA2 or does not display a portion ofthe icons. For instance, the display apparatus 1000 does not display thecamera and music icons 202 and 203 displayed in the first iconarrangement area IA1 before the second bending operation is performed onthe display apparatus 1000 and rearranges the mail, watch, photograph,and weather icons 204, 205, 206, and 201 in an area of the second iconarrangement area IA2, which is not overlapped with the expandedexecution screen ES of the mail application.

In addition, when the second bending angle θ_(b21) between the secondicon arrangement area IA2 and the execution area EA decreases, thedisplay apparatus 1000 decreases the size of the execution screen ES ofthe mail application. For example, the second bending angle θ_(b21) issmaller than the bending angle at the time point at which the bendingactivation input is input, the display apparatus 1000 decreases the sizeof the execution screen ES of the mail application.

In addition to the second bending angle θ_(b21), the display apparatus1000 senses third and fourth movements of the second icon arrangementarea IA2 and the execution area EA and decreases or expands theexecution screen ES of the mail application on the basis of the thirdand fourth movements.

For instance, in the case that the execution area EA is fixed, thefourth movement is not detected, and the third movement is the movementof the second icon arrangement area IA2 to allow the second bendingangle θ_(b21) to be large, the display apparatus 1000 expands theexecution screen ES of the mail application. In the present exampleembodiment, the third movement corresponds to a movement that rotatesthe second icon arrangement area IA2 at a predetermined angle in acounter-clockwise direction with respect to a second bending line BL21.

For example, the display apparatus 1000 expands the execution screen ESof the mail application along a direction corresponding to the thirdmovement. For example, the execution screen ES of the mail applicationmay be expanded in the second direction D2 by moving a first side S11adjacent to the second icon arrangement area IA2 among sides of theexecution screen ES of the mail application to the second direction D2.

As described above, because the size of the execution screen of theapplications is increased or decreased by the bending operation, theconvenience and usability of the display apparatus 1000 may be improved.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the display apparatus 1000 are operated in the sameway as that of the display apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 5C except forthe expansion of the execution screen ES of the mail application.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the display apparatus 1000 is bent withrespect to a first bending line BL13 and a first area A13 and a secondarea A23 are defined at both sides of the first bending line BL13 on thedisplay apparatus 1000.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the execution screen ES of the mail application isdisplayed over the first and second areas A13 and A23.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the display apparatus 1000 is bent, thedisplay apparatus 1000 senses fifth and sixth movements of the first andsecond areas A13 and A23 and expands or decreases the execution screenES of the mail application on the basis of the fifth and sixthmovements.

For instance, when the fifth and sixth movements are the movements ofthe first and second areas A13 and A23 to allow a bending angle θ_(b14)between the first and second areas A13 and A23 to be large, the displayapparatus 1000 expands the execution screen ES of the mail applicationto both sides.

In the present example embodiment, the fifth and sixth movementsrespectively correspond to movements that rotate the first and secondareas A13 and A23 at a predetermined angle in clockwise andcounter-clockwise directions with respect to the first bending lineBL13.

The display apparatus 1000 expands the execution screen ES of the mailapplication along directions respectively corresponding to the fifth andsixth movements. For example, among sides of the execution screen ES ofthe mail application, a first side S11 provided in the first area A13moves to the first direction D1 and a second side S21 provided in thesecond area A23 moves to the second direction D2. Thus, the executionscreen ES of the mail application may be expanded.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the display apparatus 1000 are operated in the sameway as that of the display apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 5C except forthe expansion of the execution screen ES of the mail application.

As an example, the selection input may be the operation of the user whotouches the execution screen ES of the mail application and the bendingactivation input may corresponding to the operation of the user whopushes a function button FB provided on the display apparatus 1000.

In the present example embodiment, the function button FB is protrudedfrom a housing of the display apparatus 1000.

When the user touches the execution screen ES of the mail application toactivate the execution screen ES of the mail application and performsthe second bending operation on the display apparatus 1000 while pushingthe function button FB, the display apparatus 1000 detects the secondbending and checks whether an execution command to control the size ofthe execution screen ES of the mail application is input on the basis ofthe second bending.

When it is checked that the execution command to control the size of theexecution screen ES of the mail application is input, the displayapparatus 1000 generates a second control signal indicating to controlthe size of the execution screen ES of the mail application and controlsthe size of the execution screen ES of the mail application in responseto the second control signal.

For example, the execution screen ES of the mail application may beexpanded in the second direction D2 by moving a first side S13 adjacentto the second icon arrangement area IA2 among sides of the executionscreen ES of the mail application to the second direction D2.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the display apparatus 1000 displays the executionscreen ES of the mail application in the execution area EA and displaysthe icons 201 to 206 in the second icon arrangement area IA2.

When the user performs a third bending operation on the displayapparatus 1000, the display apparatus 1000 detects the third bending andchecks (or determines) whether or not a command indicating to move anddisplay an object displayed in the execution area EA, i.e., theexecution screen ES of the mail application, to the second iconarrangement area IA2 is input on the basis of the third bending.

Referring to FIG. 8B, when it is checked (or determined) that thecommand indicating to move and display the execution screen ES of themail application to and in the second icon arrangement area IA2 isinput, the display apparatus 1000 generates a third control signal tomove the execution screen ES of the mail application to the second iconarrangement area IA2 and to display the execution screen ES of the mailapplication in the second icon arrangement area IA2 and displays theexecution screen ES of the mail application in the second iconarrangement area IA2 in response to the third control signal.

In addition, the display apparatus 1000 may move the icons 201 to 206arranged in the second icon arrangement area IA2 to the execution areaEA and display the icons 201 to 206 in the execution area EA, and thusthe icons 201 to 206 are not overlapped with the execution screen ES ofthe mail application.

As an example, in the case that the third bending corresponds to theflicking operation allowing the third bending to decrease the bendingangle or the bending angle of the third bending is equal to or greaterthan an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle) after the execution screenES of the mail application is activated, the display apparatus 1000determines that the command indicating to move and display the executionscreen ES of the mail application to and in the second icon arrangementarea IA2 is input. In addition, a third bending line BL3 caused by thethird bending is defined along a boundary between the execution area EAand the second icon arrangement area IA2, the display apparatus 1000determines that the command indicating to move and display the executionscreen ES of the mail application to and in the second icon arrangementarea IA2 is input.

In addition, the display apparatus 1000 detects seventh and eighthmovements of the second icon arrangement area IA2 and the execution areaEA and determines that the command indicating to move and display theexecution screen ES of the mail application to and in the second iconarrangement area IA2 is input on the basis of the seventh and eighthmovements.

For instance, in the case that the second icon arrangement area IA2 isfixed, the seventh movement is not detected, and the eighth movement isthe movement of the execution area EA to allow the bending angle to besmall, the display apparatus 1000 determines that the command indicatingto move and display the execution screen ES of the mail application toand in the second icon arrangement area IA2 is input. In the presentexample embodiment, the eighth movement corresponds to a movement thatrotates the execution area EA at an angle (e.g., a predetermined angle)in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the third bending lineBL3.

As described above, because the execution screen of the applicationsmoves by the bending with respect to the bending line, the convenienceand usability of the display apparatus 1000 may be improved.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the display apparatus 1000 displays the weather,camera, and music icons 201 to 203 in a first area A14 and displays themail, watch, and photograph icons 204 to 206 in the third area A34.

Referring to FIG. 9B, when the display apparatus 1000 is bent, thedisplay apparatus 1000 detects the bending. The display apparatus 1000defines a visible area VA1 and a non-visible area are NVA1 therein onthe basis of the bending.

The visible area VA1 is perceived by the user and the non-visible areaNVA1 is not perceived by the user. The visible area VA1 and thenon-visible area NVA1 may be changed depending on the user's gaze UV andthe bending.

For example, when a bending angle is equal to or greater than apredetermined angle after the display apparatus 1000 is bent by theuser, only a second area A24 is perceived by the user and the first andthird areas A14 and A34 shown in FIG. 9A are not perceived by the user.Here, the second area A24 perceived by the user is referred to as thevisible area VA1 and the first and third areas A14 and A34 not perceivedby the user are referred to as the non-visible area NVA1.

To reduce power consumption, the display apparatus 1000 may drive thenon-visible area NVA1 not perceived by the user in a power saving mode.As an example, the display apparatus 1000 displays an image with a blackgrayscale in the non-visible area NVA1 during the power saving mode, andthus the power consumption in the non-visible area NVA1 is reduced. Asanother way, the display apparatus 1000 may block a power supplied tothe non-visible area NVA1 and/or elements of the display apparatus 1000,which drive the non-visible area NVA1, during the power saving mode. Inaddition, the display apparatus 1000 may lower the grayscale of theimage displayed in the non-visible area NVA1 during the power savingmode.

The display apparatus 1000 may rearrange the icons 201 to 206 displayedin the first and third areas A14 and A34 to correspond to the visiblearea VA1 after the bending of the display apparatus 1000 and display theicons 201 to 206 in the visible area VA1.

Further, the display apparatus 1000 may process objects displayed beforethe bending of the display apparatus 1000 to correspond to the visiblearea VA1 and display the objects in the visible area VA1. For instance,the display apparatus 1000 may control the size of the screen of theapplication displayed before the bending of the display apparatus 1000to correspond to the size of the visible area VA1 and display the screenof the application in the visible area VA1.

As described above, the visible area VA1 and the non-visible area NVA1may be changed depending on the user's gaze UV in accordance with aposition of the user.

The display apparatus 1000 senses the user's gaze UV, generates gazeinformation to trace variations of the visible and non-visible areas VA1and NVA1, detects the user's gaze UV on the basis of the gazeinformation, and defines the visible area VA1 and the non-visible areaNVA1 therein on the basis of the bending information and the user's gazeUV.

The display apparatus 1000 moves the icons 201 to 206 displayed in thefirst and third areas A14 and A34 before the bending of the displayapparatus 1000 to the second area A24 corresponding to the visible areaVA1 after the bending of the display apparatus 1000 to display the icons201 to 206 in the second area A24 corresponding to the visible area VA1after the bending of the display apparatus 1000. In addition, thedisplay apparatus 1000 decreases the size of the image displayed overthe first, second, and third areas A14, A24, and A34 before the bendingof the display apparatus 1000 to correspond to the visible area VA1after the bending of the display apparatus 1000 and displays the imagein the visible area VA1.

When the display apparatus 1000 is in the folded state and a bendingangle θ_(b3) is smaller than a predetermined angle while the displayapparatus 1000 is being folded, the display apparatus 1000 turns off thedisplay panel 110 (refer to FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. 9B.

The display apparatus 1000 determines that the display apparatus 1000 isbeing folded when the bending angle is smaller than the angle (e.g., thepredetermined angle) and becomes continuously smaller.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10A, when the display apparatus 1000 is in the foldedstate, the display apparatus 1000 detects the folded state to determinethat the display apparatus 1000 is in the folded state. The displaypanel 110 (refer to FIG. 1) of the display apparatus 1000 is turned offin the folded state.

Then, when the display apparatus 1000 in the folded state is unfolded,the display apparatus 1000 determines that the display apparatus 1000 isbeing unfolded on the basis of the bending of the display apparatus1000. For instance, when a bending angle θ_(b4) becomes continuouslylarger in the folded state, the display apparatus 1000 determines thatthe display apparatus 1000 is being unfolded.

The display apparatus 1000 turns on the display panel 110 when, thebending angle θ_(b4) is larger than a turn-on angle (e.g., apredetermined turn-on angle).

As an example, the turn-on angle is smaller than the turn-off angle.Accordingly, in the case that the user folds the display apparatus 1000not to use the display apparatus 1000, the display panel 110 is turnedoff in early stages, and thus the power consumption is reduced. In thecase that the user unfolds the display apparatus 1000 to use the displayapparatus 1000, the display panel 110 is turned on in early stages, andthus the user sees the image instantly.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the display apparatus 1000 displays the executionscreen ES of the mail application through first, second, and third areasA15, A25, and A35 while being unfolded. As an example, the first,second, and third areas A15, A25, and A35 are sequentially defined alonga longitudinal direction of the display apparatus 1000.

In the present example embodiment, a first bending line BL14 is definedbetween the first and second areas A15 and A25 and a second bending lineBL24 is defined between the second and third areas A25 and A35. When thedisplay apparatus 1000 is bent, the display apparatus 1000 may be foldedtwo times along the first and second bending lines BL14 and BL24.

Referring to FIG. 11B, a first bending angle θ_(b15) between the firstand second areas A15 and A25 may be smaller than a second bending angleθ_(b25) between the second and third areas A25 and A35. In this case,the first and second areas A15 and A25 face each other and areoverlapped with each other. Therefore, the first and second areas A15and A25 are not exposed to the outside of the display apparatus 1000 andthe third area A35 is exposed to the outside of the display apparatus1000. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned folding shape in which thedisplay apparatus 1000 is folded two times in an S-shaped formation isreferred to as an S-shaped two-folding.

When the display apparatus 1000 is folded in the S-shaped two-folding,the display apparatus 1000 may define a visible area VA2 and anon-visible area NVA2 on the basis of the first and second bendingangles θ_(b15) and θ_(b25). Since the first and second areas A15 and A25are not perceived by the user and the third area A35 is perceived by theuser, the display apparatus 1000 includes the first and second areas A15and A25 into the non-visible area NVA2 and the third area A35 into thevisible area VA2.

As a result, the non-visible area NVA2 is driven in the power savingmode and the size of the execution screen ES of the mail applicationexecuted before the bending of the display apparatus 1000 is controlledto correspond to the visible area VA2 to be displayed in the visiblearea VA2.

Referring to FIG. 11C, when the first and second bending angles θ_(b15)and θ_(b25) are changed, the display apparatus 1000 may display theexecution screen ES of the mail application after moving the executionscreen ES of the mail application. In more detail, in the case that thedisplay apparatus 1000 is folded in the S-shaped two-folding such thatthe first bending angle θ_(b15) is greater than the second bending angleθ_(b25), the third area A35 is not perceived by the user and the firstand second areas A15 and A25 are perceived by the user. Thus, thedisplay apparatus 1000 includes the third area A35 into the non-visiblearea NVA3 and the first and second areas A15 and A25 into the visiblearea VA3.

As a result, the non-visible area NVA3 is driven in the power savingmode and the size of the execution screen ES of the mail applicationexecuted in the visible area VA2 before the bending of the displayapparatus 1000 is controlled to correspond to the visible area VA3 to bedisplayed in the visible area VA3.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing an operation providing a userinterface corresponding to a deformation of a display apparatus 1000according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

The display apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B are operated inthe same way as the display apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 11A to 11Cexcept for the bending shape of the display apparatus, and thuddifferent features of the display apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 12A and12B from those of the display apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS. 11A to 11Cwill be mainly described.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the display apparatus 1000 may be foldedin an E-shaped two-folding. When the display apparatus 1000 is folded inthe E-shaped two-folding, the display apparatus 1000 is folded to allowthe first, second, and third areas A15, A25, and A35 to be sequentiallystacked.

When the display apparatus 1000 is folded in the E-shaped two-folding,the display apparatus 1000 detects the E-shaped two-folding to determinethat the display apparatus 1000 is in the E-shaped two-folding. Thedisplay panel (refer to FIG. 1) of the display apparatus 1000 is turnedoff in the E-shaped two-folding.

When the display apparatus in the E-shaped two-folding is unfolded, thedisplay apparatus 1000 determines one of the first, second, and thirdareas A15, A25, and A35 as a visible area VA4 and displays the objectsin the visible area VA4 on the basis of the first and second bendingangles θ_(b15) and θ_(b25). As an example, since the second bendingangle θ_(b25) is greater than the first bending angle θ_(b15), thedisplay apparatus 1000 includes the third area A35 into the visible areaVA4 and displays the execution screen ES of the mail application throughthe third area A35.

Although the example embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these example embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed in thefollowing claims, and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel;a deformation sensor configured to sense a bending of the display panel;and a controller configured to control the display panel, wherein thecontroller is configured to: control displaying a plurality of objectson the display panel; detect the bending of the display panel throughthe deformation sensor; divide the display panel into a first area and asecond area with respect to a bending line defined by the bending;divide the objects into a first object corresponding to the first areaand a second object corresponding to the second area according to thebending; and move the first and second objects in first and seconddirections, respectively, according to the bending.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first direction is a directionopposite to the bending line with respect to the first object and thesecond direction is a direction opposite to the bending line withrespect to the second object.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first direction is toward the bending line with respect tothe first object and the second direction is toward the bending linewith respect to the second object.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2,wherein a moving speed of the first and second objects is determinedbased on a bending angle of the bending.
 5. The display apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein a moving distance of the first and second objects isdetermined based on a bending angle of the bending.
 6. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a grip sensor configured tosense a grip by a user's hand, wherein the controller is configured todefine grip areas corresponding to areas gripped by the user's handusing the grip sensor, the first object moves to a grip area defined inthe first area among the grip areas, and the second object moves to agrip area defined in the second area among the grip areas.
 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured todetect an unbending of the display panel using the deformation sensorand to return the first and second objects to original positions of thefirst and second objects before the display panel is bent.
 8. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 7, wherein a moving speed when the first andsecond objects are respectively returned to the original positions isslower than a moving speed when the first and second objectsrespectively move to the first and second directions.
 9. A displayapparatus comprising: a display panel; a deformation sensor configuredto sense a bending of the display panel; and a controller configured to:control the display panel and detect the bending using the deformationsensor; control displaying a first icon corresponding to a firstapplication in a first icon arrangement area; detect a first touch inputselecting the first icon; detect a first bending of the display panel;determine that an execution command executing the first application isinput according to the first bending to generate a first control signal;and execute the first application in response to the first controlsignal.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller isconfigured to define an execution area distinct from the first iconarrangement area in the display panel according to the first bending andto display an execution screen of the first application in the executionarea.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller isconfigured to: detect a second bending of the display panel; determinethat an execution command controlling a size of the execution screen ofthe first application based on the second bending to generate a secondcontrol signal; and control the size of the execution screen of thefirst application in response to the second control signal.
 12. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured todetect a bending activation input generated by a user and to control thesize of the execution screen of the first application while the bendingactivation input is input.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 12,wherein the bending activation input corresponds to an operation thatmaintains a touch on the first icon.
 14. The display apparatus of claim11, wherein, when a first bending angle between the first iconarrangement area and the execution area becomes smaller, the size of theexecution screen of the first application decreases, and when the firstbending angle becomes greater, the size of the execution screen of thefirst application increases.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 10,wherein the controller is configured to determine that the executioncommand of the first application is input when the first bending anglebetween the first icon arrangement area and the execution area becomessmaller.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controlleris configured to detect a first movement of the first icon arrangementarea and a second movement of the execution area and to determine thatthe execution command of the first application is input according to thefirst movement, the second movement, and the first bending.
 17. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 16, wherein, when the first icon arrangementarea is fixed, the first movement is not detected, and the secondmovement is a movement of a second icon arrangement area to allow afirst bending angle between the first and second icon arrangement areasto be small, the controller is configured to determine that theexecution command of the first application is input.
 18. The displayapparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to: display asecond icon corresponding to a second application in a second iconarrangement area of the display panel; move the second icon to the firsticon arrangement area; and display the second icon through the firsticon arrangement area when an execution area is overlapped with thesecond icon arrangement area after the first bending.
 19. The displayapparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to: detect athird bending of the display panel; determine a command moving anddisplaying the execution screen of the first application to and in thefirst icon arrangement area according to the third bending; generate athird control signal; and move and displays the execution screen of thefirst application to and in the first icon arrangement area in responseto the third control signal.
 20. The display apparatus of claim 19,wherein the controller is configured to detect a first movement of thefirst icon arrangement area and a second movement of the execution areaand to determine that the command moving and displaying the executionscreen of the first application to and in the first icon arrangementarea is input according to the first movement, the second movement, andthe third bending.
 21. The display apparatus of claim 20, wherein, whenthe first icon arrangement area is fixed, the first movement is notdetected, and the second movement is a movement of the execution area toallow the first bending angle between the first icon arrangement areaand the execution area to be small, the controller is configured todetermine that the command moving and displaying the execution screen ofthe first application to and in the first icon arrangement area isinput.
 22. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel; adeformation sensor configured to sense a bending of the display panel;and a controller configured to: control the display panel and detect thebending using the deformation sensor; divide the display panel into avisible area perceived by a user and a non-visible area not perceived bythe user due to the bending, which are defined in the display panel,according to the bending of the display panel; and drive the non-visiblearea in a power saving mode.
 23. The display apparatus of claim 22,wherein the controller is configured to control a size of an object soas to correspond to the visible area displayed in the display panelbefore the bending of the display panel, after the bending of thedisplay panel and to move and display the object in the visible area.24. The display apparatus of claim 23, wherein the controller isconfigured to display an image having a black grayscale at thenon-visible area in the power saving mode.
 25. The display apparatus ofclaim 22, wherein the controller is configured to determine that thedisplay panel is in a folded state according to the bending and to turnoff the display panel when a bending angle of the bending of the displaypanel is smaller than a predetermined turn-off angle while the displaypanel is being folded.
 26. The display apparatus of claim 25, whereinthe controller is configured to determine that the display panel is inan unfolded state and to turn on the display panel when the bendingangle is greater than a predetermined turn-on angle while the displaypanel is in unfolded state, and the turn-on angle is smaller than theturn-off angle.
 27. The display apparatus of claim 22, furthercomprising a gaze sensor configured to sense a gaze of the user, whereinthe controller is configured to detect a user's gaze using the gazesensor and to divide the visible area and the non-visible-area based onthe bending and the user's gaze.
 28. The display apparatus of claim 23,wherein the display panel is folded two times at first and secondbending angles when the display panel is bent, and the controller isconfigured to divide the visible area and the non-visible area accordingto the first and second bending angles.
 29. The display apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein the display panel is bent along a first bending linecorresponding to the first bending line and a second bending linecorresponding to the second bending line when the display panel is inthe first bending, the controller is configured to define first, second,and third areas with respect to the first and second bending lines, atleast one area of the first, second, and third areas is in thenon-visible area, remaining areas of the first, second, and third areasare in the visible area, the first bending line is defined between thefirst and second areas, and the second bending line is defined betweenthe second and third areas.
 30. The display apparatus of claim 29,wherein, when the first bending angle is smaller than the second bendingangle, the first and second areas are included in the non-visible areaby the controller and the third area is included in the visible area bythe controller.
 31. The display apparatus of claim 30, wherein, when thesecond bending angle is smaller than the first bending angle, the firstand second areas are included in the non-visible area by the controllerand the third area is included in the visible area by the controller.